BOCA RATON, Fla.
-- Simon Property Group Inc. today announced the names of organizations that will receive a donation or more than $1 million following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
According to Simon, the organizations include:
The Red Cross Liberty Fund: Through this fund, the American Red Cross provides support for people in need following the Sept. 11 disaster as well as emerging human needs resulting from the tragedy.
New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund: A non-profit organization established in 1985 by Daniel J. "Rusty" Staub, which assists the families of fallen New York City firefighters and police officers.
The Families of Freedom Fund: This fund, initiated by Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) in Minneapolis and Lumina Foundation for Education in Indiana, has been created to provide financial assistance for post secondary education to children and spouses of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the September 11 attacks.
Factory Mutual Family Fund: This new fund is an educational assistance fund established by FM Global to benefit the surviving children of FM Global employees who were meeting in the World Trade Center at the time of the attack.
Additionally, local relief efforts undertaken at Town Center at Boca Raton, Boynton Beach Mall, Palm Beach Mall, Treasure Coast Square Mall and Indian River Mall, combined with those which occurred at Simon's other 190 malls, collectively represented a contribution of over $4.8 million dollars.
In particular, Town Center at Boca Raton has raised more than $20,000 to date by selling red, white and blue ribbons, and hosting a silent auction, as well as two blood drives, a Fire Rescue Boot Drive, and a car magnet flag sale.
Boynton Beach Mall sold nearly $4,500 in ribbons, which were assembled by the mall and its retail stores, and also held a blood drive. Palm Beach Mall raised nearly $2,000 by selling ribbons, creating a "Wall of Remembrance," and selling car flags and flag pins. Indian River Mall contributed to the effort by conducting blood drives and Fire Rescue Boot Drives.
"We were honored to work with CBS4 Miami and UPN 34 Palm Beach County's Neighbors 4 Neighbors, Coast 97.3, Hot 105, The Red Cross, the South Florida Blood Bank, Community Blood Centers of South Florida, and local Fire Rescue departments in a partnership to allow citizens of our community an opportunity to demonstrate their respect for the families of the victims, to help raise money to support relief efforts, and to serve as an outlet for the display of American pride and patriotism," said Jim Roberts, regional marketing director for Simon Malls.
The Simon Youth Foundation has made a commitment to donate all wishing well and fountain coin proceeds from September 11 through the end of the year to support additional relief efforts. Funds collected at Simon's network of approximately 190 malls, including Town Center at Boca Raton, Boynton Beach Mall, Palm Beach Mall, Treasure Coast Square Mall and Indian River Mall, are expected to exceed $250,000.
Simon is also part of a consortium of leading shopping center owners and managers who are participating in an effort called "United We Stand" at more than 400 malls nationwide.
The Simon Youth Foundation, founded in 1998 by Simon Property Group and the Simon family, fosters educational and career development in youth.